Before

Thanks to Cathe this story has a happy ending! After a nearly perfect pregnancy, and an all-natural delivery of a beautiful baby girl, I developed an excruciating pain in the left side of my abdomen. I endured this pain for a week thinking it was normal after birth pains, but it kept getting worse and worse, and finally decided I needed to go back to the hospital. After a week of lying in a hospital bed swollen, in pain, and not being able to breastfeed my daughter due to all the antibiotics and pain killers, it was determined that I had contracted “child-bed fever” due to poor hospital care and sanitation. Due to me staying at home with it for a week the infection spread to my abdomen and lungs and I had also developed cellulitis and atelectasis. After another week in the hospital and much rehabilitation the swelling came down, and my left lung got better, but I feared it would never be the same.

After returning home and trying to start over with my new baby, my mother kept encouraging me to start exercising to

After

get rid of my baby weight. I was reluctant due to being so weak from laying in a hospital bed for 2 weeks and hardly being able to walk due to swelling and pain from the infections. Thank goodness for FitTV at the time! I discovered Cathe’s “Kick, Punch, and Crunch” saved it to my DVR, and tried my best to finish it while my daughter napped. I started out really struggling, my lungs could hardly make it though all the hammer smash knees! With time I got better and better and my baby weight started to fall off.

When FitTV went off the air, I was pretty bummed, but decided I would try to track down Cathe DVD’s online. I was thrilled to see that not only were they available, but she was still making DVD’s and there were so many devoted Cathletes. I can certainly see why! I located her Facebook page, and asked Cathe what new DVD’s I s hould try to get the most bang for my buck in the shortest amount of time since I don’t always get to finish a DVD before my daughter wakes up. She was kind enough to respond to my question and suggest Afterburn. I couldn’t get enough! I am now in the best shape of my life and get compliments all the time on how toned my legs are and how flat my stomach is after having a child.

I owe it to Cathe! I even ran my first 5K two months ago, I could hear her voice in my head “You get what you give, so give a lot!”, and I ran the whole thing, something I never thought I would be able to do after having a partially collapsed lung. I reccommend her DVD’s to all my friends and am so proud to consider myself a Cathlete! I hope to be able to attend a road trip soon! Thank you Cathe for helping me get in shape and helping to inspire me to always do my best and keep pushing!

Recently I realized that I have been an avid Cathlete for nearly a decade. I remember my first Cathe videos as I transitioned up out of The Firm workouts. I had discovered fire, in a sense. I still feel that way. A new Cathe video gives me a charge like nothing else. I know that my few extra dollars spent on a quality instructor will pay off for another decade to come as I grow with the workout.

I grew up in rural Indiana without much access to a gym or other means of standard fitness equipment. Video fitness was a way for me to explore physical fitness and develop preferences. This budding interest has paid off in countless ways as I’ve matured into and out of career paths and motherhood. I feel like a sort of agent of Cathe. I try to turn everyone I can onto this gem of an instructor. “Beachbody fitness? Don’t waste your time and money!” I still remember my first introduction to the world of Cathe. I overheard a lady at a fitness retreat (who was in much better shape than myself, despite being at least 20 years my senior) mention that she had some Cathe workouts but that they were too hard. There my journey began.

Years later I found myself a military wife stuck in the bleak landscape of 29 Palms, California. I renewed my relationship with Cathe workouts and expanded my video library. I still remember my buff husband shouting in disbelief at the difficulty level of one particular workout after I got him to join me. Butts and Guts... this was the next workout that I had to BEG him to try out with me. He has yet to accept the challenge since. I tease him about it constantly. He calls home from work and if I answer breathlessly he says only, “Cathe.”

On a family vacation this past summer I found myself in the exact moment where I could impact the lives of other people in the most positive way. Discovering the plight of two distressed swimmers, I had the opportunity to perform an ocean rescue. Handing off my nine month old daughter, I had the stamina to make the swim through rough ocean water and see both victims safely returned to shore. For my efforts I was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism. What an honor! Thank you, Cathe.

What gave me the ability to help these people was the sustained energy I’ve earned through grueling sessions with Cathe Frederich and her crew. I can say this with utmost confidence. My background as a lifeguard gave me some experience but the muscular and cardiovascular endurance Cathe instilled in me gave me the physical ability to do what I did. I may struggle the average Mom battle of eating my children’s caloric food and not being active ENOUGH but fortunately when I do workout, it’s quality. This is all thanks to Cathe who taught me what it feels like to work hard.

I’m currently enjoying “Intensity,” but don’t think I’m loyal to just one Cathe workout. The videos I purchased nearly ten years ago are still rotated and in constant use. Now that is value. I put a DVD in and my kids start jumping around with me. Whatever I pursue next in life I know that Cathe will be a part of it. In fact I’m eagerly awaiting “To the Max” and “Crossfire.”

At 40-something I feel physically and mentally healthier than ever, and as a bonus I look better now than I did in my 20s AND 30s. The way I feel and look is due in large part to using exercise videos, especially Cathe’s since I own quite the collection. Let’s just say that with the amount of Cathe videos I own I have no issues of boredom that sometimes happens to avid exercises.

In following the advice of changing routines to avoid plateaus, I have tried a couple of Beach Body routines, but honestly I felt like I lost the muscle tone that I had quickly gained with Cathe. So, I decided it was best to stick with Cathe since she had been tried and true, but now in order to switch things up I create new rotations with the Workout Manager feature of the website. This feature allows me to use my favorite Cathe videos, which now includes the STS series and ALL 10 DVDs of her latest low impact series.

Being physically fit has allowed me to pursue other great challenges including a full marathon, a half triathlon and child birth! After 3 hours of pushing I wasn’t even tired!! When I told the Dr. I had the stamina to continue she refused, saying, “Three hours is long enough.” Maybe for a non-Cathlete, but not for me. (Unfortunately, the Dr. wasn’t convinced.)

It was a proud moment for me when my 5-year old daughter asked me to workout and I realized that I had unconsciously instilled an interest in physical fitness in her. I continue to teach her about the importance of being active. In fact, we’ve actually done Cathe videos side by side and all the way through. Most recently, and for the first time, I ran a 5K with her. It was a great experience for both of us and one that I will hold most dear when I think about my accomplishments.

Just over a year ago, I began dealing with a major life change. Through the stress of divorce and adjusting to single parenthood, I continued to maintain my exercise routine. It was difficult many days, but I pushed forward knowing in the end I would feel better about myself. I am convinced that my Cathe collection helped me deal with stress that would have otherwise made me more tempted to use food to cope.

Now that things have settled back to normalcy, not only is being fit important for the things I need to take care of inside the house, but it has been beneficial in giving me the strength to take care of the outside of the house which has now been added to my “To Do” list.

As a single parent I have realized more, now than ever, the importance of “Me Time”. Using Cathe videos has made finding that time easy. I don’t have to find daycare, drive to a gym, or pack a bag. I simply turn on the baby monitor, put in the DVD and before I know it I’m done and feeling like I can take on whatever the day, or life, dares to throw at me.

Before

After my husband and I were married, our first child was born before our 1st anniversary, and that first year adjusting to much change I gained 65 pounds during the pregnancy. It took a year to get back in shape. That was short lived however, as we were expecting again and I struggled to stay motivated with the same video program that I had been using for weight loss, and bored, fell off the wagon of regular weekly exercise.

Eating as healthy and trying hard as I could, before I knew it, I had gained 45 lbs. by the time I checked into the hospital with my 2nd pregnancy. This happened through the next 2 babies as well, becoming pregnant when the new baby was only 7 months old and not having yet lost all the baby weight. My body had some major recouping to do, having 4 kids in 5 ½ years!

During this time, I tried a handful of cheesy workout videos available at the major chain stores and could only make myself go through each about 2x. I tried P90X, but quickly found that was not for me. Next came a Step and with it came a basic Cathe step video. The pace was incredible and quickly had the routine down which got me looking up Cathe’s website. I had

After

no idea such incredible workouts existed! Butts and Guts soon came in the mail, as that’s what really needed to be whipped into shape! In the beginning I remember saying to my husband – “Look at her go! I can barely do the workout with no weights!” I’ve had Butts and Guts for three years now and can do it with weights, but those first lunges still kick my butt! It was fairly easy to convince my husband that a small investment in Cathe videos would keep me going and pay itself off within a matter of months, even if we were to compare it to a gym membership. He has been a great support through it all (and a listening ear when I hit plateaus), and an understanding husband – after all we have 4 kids to be thankful for!

Now my fourth child is 18 months old, and because of my small arsenal of Cathe videos, I have faithfully and enthusiastically looked forward to my weekly workouts, never tiring of working out and sweating alongside my favorite faces on the screen. They have been an energy booster and a stress reliever, important because of keeping my kids at home, and also a confidence booster, a long time coming. Last Christmas I asked for Cathe videos (Shock Cardio Series and MuscleMax), and out of all of her videos, I still debate which one I “get” to work out to that day.

I feel great, and due to learning along the way what it means to truly eat healthy, weigh about 8 lbs. less than when I was first married. My strength gains have been amazing, I can run 4 miles (I made it to 2 in high school once) or push my kids in a double stroller for a few, do series of standard pushups instead of modified, and recently at the park with my kids found that I can do a couple pull-ups on the playground bar! I had to do it again because I didn’t believe I just did it. I also didn’t use to like stretching but have come to look forward to it and as a result am more flexible and have leaner-looking legs than I thought I could ever have.

I am indebted to Cathe – I might still be in an emotional and physical weight loss struggle if it had not been for the motivation and challenges that I get from her workouts. I don’t know who thanks Cathe the most – myself or my husband!

In February 201,2 poor eating habits had left me overweight and miserable. None of my clothing was fitting any more. I had slacked off my workouts.I began to look bloated. When I went to my doctor for my annual exam she told me my blood sugar was high. After further testing I learned that I was in a Pre-Diabetic State. I had not hit Type 2 Diabetes, but I was well on my way!

I had attributed my weight gain to menopause and aging. I am 57 years old and felt weight gain was inevitable and I was destined to have a muffin top and an apple belly.

On June 5th,2012, I committed myself to clean eating and videos such as “Afterburn” as well as other videos in the Low Impact series. The weight began to come off but more slowly than I anticipated. Nevertheless, I kept my goals in mind and stayed focused. I refused to crash diet and starve. I just stopped eating and drinking anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup or any sugar laden foods I realize than a condiment as benign as catsup was full of sugars so I began to eat salsa or using no condiment to avoid the sugar in catsup. I also began to drink water with lemon when I went to restaurants instead of ordering Cokes and Sweet tea. I always had at least 3 refills of soda or sweet tea in the past. In retrospect I can’t believe how many empty sugar laden calories I was pumping into my body.

At the lowest point in my life I was going to the Dairy Queen and ordering a large butterscotch cone then stopping by the grocery store and buying 6 Dove bars and eating them as well at one sitting. I also thrived on greasy pizzas. I am sure if I had not been working out with Cathe back then that I would have weighed at least 200 lb.

After deciding enough is enough I decided to take action. I ate complex carbs, protein from egg whites and lean meat, fresh fruits and vegetables. I did not eat any processed meat or dairy products except for an occasional cheat meal when I went out with my husband and friends.

When “Crossfire” and “To the Max” were released, I began to do them on a regular basis. I especially love “Crossfire Extreme”. However I did not do extreme workouts every day. I did “Crossfire” and “To the Max” in my weekly rotation putting one day of lighter steady state cardio or muscle building on non high intensity days.

Looking at the beautiful bodies and athleticism of Cathe and her cast motivated me to push harder and to challenge my body more. I desperately wanted to look and be as fit as her and her cast.

Suddenly after a slow weight loss beginning the inches began to melt off my body. I could walk out of jeans that were formerly too tight to close and my dresses began to zip easily. I went from a size 29 in jeans to a 26 to 27.

My endurance, strength and stamina increased too! At first I thought I would never be able to do the full body pushups with the Slide and Glide disks. Now I can do them with a lot of effort but I can complete every rep that Cathe and her cast do and with good form!

I have no idea of my weight now. I refuse to step on a scale. All I know is that my clothing fits better or is too large and people can tell I have lost weight.

I visit my doctor this month and am sure my blood sugar will be lower and I am excited to step on the scales to find out how much I weigh.

The photo I am sending shows the difference in my size. The photo on the left was made in Feb 2012 at my lowest point and the one on the right was taken on July 28th, 2012.

Thank you Cathe for your newsletter with recipes, nutrition facts and great videos. You have truly changed my life. I now realize that aging and menopause are not valid reasons for weight gain in a health woman. It is all about lifestyle choices and regular exercise!

A few years ago I used Cathe DVDs to lose 30 pounds. I have been able to keep off the weight and build muscle. In my pursuit of fitness, my family has benefited as well. I began to experiment with healthier cooking and kept my family educated with the latest nutrition and health information. Over the last year, my two teenagers have joined me in exercising with Cathe as well as reading the weekly newsletter. Although neither of my children struggle with weight problems, I was concerned that they were not getting enough physical exercise. When they were younger they participated in sports and other physical activities. We relocated and finances did not allow us to continue their classes and activities. I ebayed everything that could easily fit into a box, submitted a healthy recipe for Cathe’s newsletter, and was able to purchase extra mats, balls, weights, DVDs and another step bench. The following is an article from the par enting section of a monthly newsletter I write for ladies in my church, and it is all about the importance of getting your children active and how Cathe helped get my teenagers moving!

When I was in high school, a “muffin top” was the crunchy, tasty top of an actual, edible muffin. Now, a “muffin top” can mean that unsightly portion of belly fat that hangs out over a pair of jeans. As little as twenty five years ago, yes I am dating myself, overweight and obese children and adolescents were in the minority. Today, however, this is not the case. All you have to do is take a look around at both adults and youth and you will see a “muffin top” majority.

According to the latest statistics released by the CDC, in 2009-2010, 35.7% of adults and 16.9% of children and adolescents in the United States were classified as obese. Obesity is not just unsightly, but it is dangerous. With obesity comes greater risks for heart disease, diabetes, and a myriad of other health problems.

The causes for obesity are varied, but there is an overwhelming and obvious correlation between lack of exercise and weight gain. Very few adolescents meet the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes a day of moderate activity. According to the CDC, in 2007, only 35% of high school students were participating in adequate amounts of exercise.

Another alarming statistic provided by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry indicates parental influence is a propensity for obesity. According to AACAP, when one parent is obese, their children are 50% more likely to be obese; if both parents are obese, the likelihood of obesity in their children jumps to a whopping 80%! A parent’s fitness, or lack of fitness in this case, can have great impact on their children and determine if they pass on the “muffin top” and even more.

As a loving parent, you undoubtedly do not desire for your child to suffer from pain and disease caused by inactivity and weight gain. The good news is you have the power to influence healthful living in your child. Here are four ways you can encourage your child to exercise more often.

Find what works for you and set the example. For years my children have watched me try various exercise programs: P90X, Taebo Kickboxing, and Zumba. I finally settled on step aerobics, weight lifting, and kickboxing with DVDs by Cathe Freidrich, and have been using them consistently for almost three years.

I am enthusiastic about fitness and nutrition and involve my children in my pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. My teenagers listen patiently as I share with them how my latest workout with Cathe, my “trainer,” went or when I tell them what I learn about nutrition from my research or from reading the weekly newsletter from cathe.com. They even get excited for me when a new DVD comes in the mail.

Work out together. Self-motivation is difficult for many people, including children. For several months, my daughter’s friend from her church youth group joined me and my daughter three times a week for cardio and weight training. Our living room was crowded, but it was so much more fun exercising as a group. More importantly, both girls got hooked! When my daughter’s friend moved, I sent her off with a step and some DVDs perfect for beginning and intermediate levels: Low Max, MMA Kickbox and Kick Max. She has told me that she is still exercising and wants more DVDs, especially weight training.

Appeal to their area of interest. My daughter is an avid dancer. She commented to me that she wanted to get her legs higher in her leaps. I suggested she start muscle conditioning. I gave her two Cathe DVD workouts with exercises well suited for strengthening her legs: Turbo Barre and Kick Max. By strengthening the muscles in her quadriceps, she has been able to hold her leg higher and longer in all her pretty ballet moves, including improving her leaps.

Stop making excuses, and find a way! Although a gym membership is financially problematic for us right now, I have not allowed that to keep me from encouraging my children to participate in regular exercise. There are plenty of activities you and your children can do for free, or for a relatively low cost at home. My son is often employed by the neighbors to do yard work, which allows him a great work out. However, when weeds are scarce, I have him join me twice a week for weight lifting. I put in my Cathe DVDs: Total Body Trisets, High Reps, or Body Max 2 for an hour or so of weight training. Having him as a weight lifting partner causes both of us to work harder as we cheer each other on!

Another common excuse is that the exercise is too difficult. Simply start at your fitness level and gradually increase the duration and intensity of the exercises until you reach a higher fitness level. My daughter and I began with Basic Step and Low Impact Step then progressed from there. One of our favorite step DVDs to do together is Step Moves; we are both able to work at our fitness levels. My daughter only does about 20 minutes and uses one set of risers, while I complete the routine and use two sets of risers. Every little step forward is progress. Be patient with yourself and your children and pretty soon you will all be making leaps forward in your fitness levels.

I have intentionally listed several DVD titles we use from www.cathe.com to give you examples to help get you started. Whether you use my suggestions or try your own, the important thing is to get everybody active, starting with you. Your enthusiasm or lack of enthusiasm will impact your children. Modeling an active lifestyle can greatly influence your child to make wise choices as an adult thus avoiding many painful and debilitating physical problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. By pursuing fitness as a family, I hope to leave a legacy of children and grand children in “top health” not sporting “muffin tops.” Join me, get moving and take those kids with you!

Sources:

The Average Amount of Kids That Get Exercise in the U.S.

HTTP://WWW.LIVESTRONG.COM/ARTICLE/387136-THE-AVERAGE-AMOUNT-OF-KIDS-THAT-GET-EXERCISE-IN-THE-U-S/

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 82 ■ January 2012 Prevalence of Obesity in the United States, 2009–2010

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db82.pdf

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Facts For Families Obesity in Children and Teens March 2011

http://www.aacap.org/galleries/FactsFor Families/79_obesity_in_children_and_teens.pdf

After

In November of last year, I began noticing pain in my elbow. Unfortunately the pain grew and eventually I was diagnosed with tennis elbow. My doctor recommended rest and avoiding any activity that would irritate it. This was very discouraging as I would have to stop doing weight-bearing exercises. I really enjoy working out and I thought I would have to stop all together. For a few weeks, I did no type of exercise and was feeling very discouraged. Not exercising made me feel more tired and sluggish. Soon after, I realized I needed to find a type of exercise that I enjoy and would be able to do with my elbow injury.

That’s when I found Cathe. I ordered my first DVD, Butts and Guts, since it did not require upper body use. When I first tried this workout I was shocked. It was hard and challenging, but in a good way. I loved it. After mastering Butts and Guts, I went back for more. I ordered several other Cathe DVD’s including Low Max and Turbo Barre. In just a few short weeks, I became a dedicated Cathlete.

Cathe has helped me to stay fit and allowed me to work out even with an injury where I wasn’t sure if I would be able to workout at all. I have now taken my fitness up a notch and have become stronger than I ever imagined I would without lifting weights.

My tennis elbow has now healed and I am slowly adding in weights to my Cathe workouts. I also recently turned 50 and feel in better shape now than I did when I was 40. I hope to be in better shape at age 60 than I am now with the help of Cathe’s exercise DVDs. I can’t wait to keep exploring other Cathe DVD’s and improve not only my health, but my life. Thanks Cathe!!

Back in the early 1990′s, I used to be a gym rat, and stumbled across Cathe’s workout Videos and said, “this girl is great!”. I maintained a steady workout routine for many years until I got laid off in 2005. I found another job a few months later, but with the pressures of a new job, my fitness routine and health got put to the back burner.

Along with the new job came 30+ pounds. I went from ~170 lbs to over 200lbs. I felt sluggish all the time. When the pressures of the job eased up a bit, I thought about getting back on the fitness wagon many times, but it just didn’t stick. I started walking on a regular basis, but every time I did, my foot would swell for days (doc thought it could have been gout). I knew I had to make changes.

I was a follower of Cathe on Facebook, and finally purchased a few of her DVDs, then quickly became hooked again. I couldn’t wait to see what the next monthly rotation would be and had a lot of fun with it. I also made healthier food choices and cut back on alcohol, which meant no more swelling of my feet due to gout! I also pre-ordered her Crossfire, then TO THE MAX, DVDs , then XTRAIN.

Before I started XTRAIN, I couldn’t lift as much as Cathe and her crew, but now Iam using the same weightt they are, in some cases, even more! Working out with CATHE DVDs, along with making healthier food choices allowed me to drop to my present weight of 150 lbs – that is quite a way from a high of 204 (could have been higher, I didn’t always allow the doc to weigh me!). Working out with CATHE has allowed me to keep consistent with my workouts, even though sometimes my working hours vary ( due to working with India counterparts). I work out with CATHE daily and am now a true CATHELETE!

Before

As a teenager I was obsessed with my weight and the number on a scale to the point of denial,looking back now I can see it may have been a borderline eating disorder as I equated a number on the scale with beauty and self worth.

When I entered my 20′s and married,my new phobia became getting pregnant and packing the pounds on.I have been doing aerobics since I was 13 years old,often becoming bored of the same handful of DVD’s that had lined my shelf. I continued to work out either at home with the same videos or a gym where I was motivated by a fitness instructor and classmates to keep me accountable to the daily workout grind.

At age 27 I became pregnant with my first baby,I did cardio and was stuck in the rut of a daily weight workout for toning and 60-90 min cardio.I gained 40 lb with my oldest and about flipped out as the scale went up even when I was consistently exercising.Thankfully that weight dropped a couple months after he r birth and my second child born 3 years later I gained 50lb. Getting to the gym was more difficult with a newborn….I turned on the TV one day and saw Cathe,I decided to try her pyramid work out and was smiling when I finished because it was the first time in years I wasn’t dreading my boredom from the same routine and videos.I felt better and was eager to try her again…I have followed her now for 6 years.

Most recently I had my 3rd baby on my 35th birthday in Oct 2012.I gained 80 lb and struggled with blood pressure issues which prevented me from being able to

After

maintain or work out for most of the 9 months I was pregnant.In some ways I became depressed and longed to be up and doing Cathe workouts.I knew Xtrain was coming out so I had something to look forward to once I gave birth and a way to work towards a goal. As soon as the DVD’s came I opened the package knowing I could trust Cathe’s advice and booklet in the Xtrain because of all the science and research behind her products.I felt overwhelmed and wondered how in the world I could lose this weight?!Surprisingly these videos so far have been the most effective way to lose weight as well as getting your cardio and weights in.I felt like I could do less cardio in less time and have a more effective well rounded workout.

I just purchased my own spinning bike so I could do the Ride DVD,I love being able to sweat in my own home.I try to introduce those with limited time to work out to the Cathe DVDs.When people complain that they are expensive I try to show them the value and the results in them,my heart now isn’t about a number on the scale,its about feeling great mentally and physically so that I can take care of my family without feeling overwhelmed.I point out that you won’t find work out DVD’s with this many premixes on one disc nor will you find them sitting on a shelf unused because you are bored and unmotivated to do them to produce the results you are look ing for.Later in the fall of 2012 the Xtrain videos arrived as a late birthday present from my husband.I have been following the recommended schedule in her Xtrain book mixing it up with the low impact series.

I never thought I could jump around so much,lift as heavy as she demonstrates,and have fun while getting the weight off.So far I have lost 60lb out of the 80lb I gained down from the 200lb that topped off on the scale on this 5ft 3in frame that hadn’t ever had that much weight on me before.I feel balanced and energized more so now than I did as a teenager worried about a number on a scale.I only weigh myself every couple wks.I try to incorporate some of Cathe’s dietary options from her weekly newsletter but the consistency of the work out DVD’s I think are the biggest metabolic booster. I hope you too are able to find as much joy in her workouts as a personal trainer in your own home as I do.

I am saving $200 a month not driving on the DC beltway with a gym membership as well as the time spent loading up 3 kids and the long drive in city traffic making it an all over efficient way to work out in this season of my life.Thank you Cathe for helping us become better people to take care of ourselves so we can take care of our family in our lives!

I had to put that as a title because I FINALLY feel like the real me! I’ve been an exercise enthusiast for most of my life-love exercise. But I just couldn’t seem to lose weight these past few years. It was frustrating-because it was always the same thing-I’d start losing-then I would be stuck at a certain point and think that’s just where I am supposed to be. Or I would just give up and think well I am happy with myself as I am. But in reality I’m actually pretty frustrated that I didn’t work harder years ago because of how happy I actually am now!

I am so grateful that Cathe’s workouts were on FIT TV. Without that-I would have never heard of Cathe. I couldn’t believe how strong that little power house was! And the exercise form was great, awesome exercises, easy to follow routines, challenging-I could go on and on. Bottom line-one workout I was hooked.

I invested in the STS program years ago-and had su ccess with it-I was stronger and leaner-but I was happy with myself…and then XTrain came out. Luckily just before I started in January I had to buy a bathing suit-and I was shocked by the way I looked…I was miserable and unhappy-I promised myself I would be committed to the program and track everything I would eat. I even gave up alcohol for an entire month. Which was huge for me. Every week I would lose weight. I loved the workouts-I even wrote a blog about the workouts and my struggles and accomplishments doing the program. There wasn’t a workout I didn’t like…except maybe the Legs All Sections-I was just glad when it was over-TORTURE! In a good way. But I abolutely changed-I transformed into the me I am supposed to be.

Doing XTrain I lost 28lbs but I gained so much. I will continue to do Cathe workouts because there is no other person on the planet that has it figured out like Cathe does!

Melissa’s before picture

After some prodding from my dear husband and fit friends, I decided to give this success story process a try.
I have struggled with my weight since childhood. I am not quite sure why, but I don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure that out. Most of my family is either obese or diabetic or both. Over the years, I have resisted falling into these horrible health traps because I have intimately been aware of what damage they cause to the body. I have been fairly successful, but I have always struggled with body image.

Although I have never been considered obese, I have never been fully satisfied with my shape.
In my late teens and early twenties, I served in the United States Navy. I became interested in video workouts when I realized that the gym was not for me and running had become boring. I absolutely fell in love with step training. I could not get enough. I started out with Reebok and Gin Miller. One day a catalog came in the mail, and BOOOM!!!!! There was Cathe Friedrich. She had a workout…Get Ready for Your Wedding. I was intrigued. I was getting married in the spring and wanted to look good for my special day. I remember that first workout like it was yesterday. Cathe’s bubbly personality and great instruction was just what I needed. I was instantly hooked. Over the years, I have collected EVERY workout video and DVD she ever produced.
Fast forward to present day….

Melissa’s after picture

Although I have had struggles, injuries and life issues along the way, Cathe has always been there for me. In January 2013, I was desperately trying to recover from a severe case of bronchitis brought on by the flu. I had been sick for months and had refused medical care. After much pleading from my dear husband, I finally went to the doctor. I stepped on the scales at the doctor’s office and nearly fainted! I had not been very consistent with my exercise routine for a few years and boy, did it show! I had NEVER weighed that much. Reality slapped me upside the head. I had a BIG decision to make.

I returned from the doctor’s office with a myriad of medication and a huge frown. Over the years, I had let my body down and I was horrified. Later that day, XTRAIN showed up in the mail. I decided that enough was enough and that I was going to conquer this beast.

I logged into the Workout Manager and was again surprised that I had not recorded anything since 2009. I immediately downloaded the XTRAIN 90 day Undulating Rotation and that was that. I have worked out 6 days a week ever since. I also cut out many calories by resisting sugar, no matter what. No more coffee creamer…no more junk…ENOUGH was ENOUGH! I also joined a Monthly Challenge Group in Facebook. My fit friends have helped me to remain accountable and on the right track. My husband’s loving support has also propped me up. All of these small changes have changed my life. I have completely stopped making excuses. My workouts are now daily appointments. I don’t miss appointments…never have and never will.
So after 25 pounds of weight loss since January, what have I learned?

• You are never too old to make changes.
• You are stronger than you know.
• Strong is the new skinny.
• Love and support from family and friends is important.
• You are the master of your domain.
• The journey is all yours.
• And finally, although you may stumble and fall along the way, NEVER give up!
I wanted to make sure to thank my favorite trainer, Cathe. You have been an inspiration for me since 1993. You have encouraged me, strengthened me and given me the tools I needed to go forward on my fitness journey. I hope you know that I am proud to be a Cathlete.

Although I don’t believe that my story is inspirational, I do hope that my story will let the reader know that I am not unique…I am just like you. I struggle each day just like everybody. I choose to never give up.
Thanks for reading!
Melissa

I started working out with Cathe and her crew 8 years ago. I had already had a sister that had been working out with her and introduced me to Cathe. I remember the first DVD she gave me, Basic Step and Body Fusion!! From that point on and 100 DVD’s and downloads later I was hooked!!!

I started working out more, feeling better, eating better and sleeping better. Then after that I was able to get my family more heathy and eating better, exercising more, making them have better food choices. It was not long and my husband was hooked on to Cathe!! So we refer to some of our exercise days as Cathe days, what DVD did you do today?? And we always compare our DOMS. I still have days where I am up and down, but I keep at it!! It’s the one thing that always stays consistent in my life. Cathe and friends are always there. I get up every morning and get my day started with Cathe. When I am done, I know that I can handle anything life throws at me.

Eight years ago when I started Cathe I weighed  200 lbs and now maintain my weight now at 140 lbs. Hard work does pay off as my daughter can tell you. To get her in the best shape for college soccer try-outs in the fall, I had her Tabatasice with me. And YES, try-outs are over and she made the team!! So Lets keep on training together Cathe!! Can’t wait and see what you throw at us next us!! From the road trips, to live feed classes, to the newest DVD’s, downloads, health and nutritional information you give us. It’s keeps me keeping exercise fresh, new and exciting every time you come out with something new.

I submitted a story a few years ago and actually won the Success Story category. So many things have changed since that time I feel compelled to make another submission. My first story was about my journey with Cathe through a very troubled marriage, an eating disorder, and an addiction to pain pills. As I stated the first time around, there was a period in my life when Cathe was literally my only connection to the outside world. Her dvd’s were such a source of comfort during a time when my life seemed very dark. Well, since that time, I have started on a new journey, complete with my Cathe arsenal. I remarried a wonderful man who started working out to Cathe with me and prided himself on being a “Cathlete.” He was 68 years old and had survived a triple bypass. He worked out with me consistently and we thoroughly enjoyed our “fitness” connection. Sadly, on August 26th, my husband decided to take his own life. Shocked and heartbroken, I moved in with my oldest son. Shortly after settling in, he gently chided to me to continue on with my workouts. I made myself do at least an hour of Cathe everyday. Not only that, my son started doing Cathe’s STS program, and during a very difficult time, we really had some lighthearted moments joking about how “mean” Cathe is. I had also sent my daughter Tabatacise so we all had a few laughs when discussing our fitness journey.

To sum it up, Cathe has been in my life since 1999, through good times and bad times. She is a staple in my everyday life and the joy of having her as such cannot be described in words. I am forever grateful to this wonderful woman who has been such an integral part of my life and fitness journey. I am thoroughly enjoying the new workouts….as a new chapter of my life opens, Cathe is once again a very important part of that.

This is a success story with 2 parts..

Part one:

I am writing this to share what exercise does for me emotionally and the incredible release that happens…

I am almost 54 years old (2-13 -1960) and feel like I have lived many lives…I come from a world of depression, therapists,illegal drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes…From not eating for days into weeks so my stomach would not bulge ( I am 5 foot 4 inches and was 94 pounds) to years later weighing 204 pounds..and then there was failed suicides to extreme religion..it was all there..I was crying out for help and was trapped by the torture of my mind and trying to find peace and to be set free..

Depression was a way of life for me.. However in the midst of what was trying to rob me of my life, there was someone who was crying out to be set free, and she was the part of me that loved life and was fighting to survive..there were times life could be fun, beautiful and full of goodness but then I would crash..and fall…but I could hear myself crying out “I want to live” so “fight” do not let the life you love/ hate destroy you!!

I was in a drug rehab hospital when I found out I was pregnant at age 18…was married and still am (35 years)but the road in which my husband traveled with me was very rocky and many times almost ended up in divorce..

Cigarettes was the hardest thing for me to give up..I struggled so much with that horrible habit..I would quit for months and even years but I would fall back into a depression start smoking and again I would classify myself as either a failure or a bad person…I could not overcome..

It was two very important factors that have helped me…I found strength from the Lord and exercise…the two have to work together to keep my body soul and spirit in unison..

I first saw Cathe on fit t.v. 6 years ago and It was love at first sight..she was who I was looking for…I was already exercising with my husband and by myself…I was learning more and more about healthy eating but was searching for more guidance,and there she was..all smiles and going 100 miles an hour..she was going to be my Trainer and I knew she would steer me in the right direction…

Now to the release..it is the endorphin release that beats any high that I have experienced..it is clean and it is healthy and it is awesome…running is when I first experienced it..I felt like I could move mountains and I was…I was releasing…this happens to me all the time now…Cathe it is your workouts that bring me such release..In hard strikes you say ” get those aggressions out” but it is so true..I can be laughing and jumping with you one minuet and then start to cry…..especially if something is bothering me before I start to exercise..the release happens once I get in the moment..it is so awesome…and of course there is ALWAYS the YAHOOS and the excitement that comes with the release!!

I also am amazed at how healthy I look and how healthy I eat..it all works together..to be healthy you have to think healthy…once you think healthy you become healthy..so the mind plays a huge part in you being healthy and the mind gets healthy when you take care of your body soul and spirit!!

Cathe you have become an important part of my life and I thank you for who you are..

I love, love to workout…..I also try to run on the days that I have time…I do not consider my runs to be a workout just a passion..all workouts are like that but when I run it is just me my legs and that awesome endorphin release.. Not to mention the cleaning out of my lungs..

I cannot I say I do not have my bad days because I do.. But I have clean healthy ways to release.. I love life and will not let it be taken away from me.. Cathe you say that life is a gift.. It is and I thank God that he intervened the many times I tried to end it..

Thank you Cathe for what you have given to me and countless others.. You are using your gift of life to help others..

So in closing part one I would like to say ” Get those aggressions out”!

Part 2

I also wanted to share how I was so blessed with a very supportive husband who is my workout partner in all areas of my life and 2 beautiful daughters and that equaled 5 grandchildren!! How awesome is that!!

My one daughter. Jenna needs me to watch her two boys as she works.. I tell you Cathe you have competition as running after two toddler boys that are a year apart is very challenging.. especially after a workout with you!!

Both my daughters saw the change and enthusiasm in me and wanted to be a Cathlete as well.. Actually it was my eldest daughter who bought me my first Cathe DVD.. Butts and Gutts!! OUCH!!!

I would borrow out my dvd’s as I was building up a wonderful collection but also thought they should have their own so I helped them build up a collection as well..

We are a Cathlete family.. Me, my husband Greg, my daughter Heather with her 3 children (2boys and 1girl), and Jenna with her 2 boys..

Cathe you are an awesome influence on a our lives and both my daughters look awesome!!

They both have used your dvd’s to help them loose baby weight..

They both give what they have time to give in chasing children, working and being the best they can be in fitness!!

We all say “Thank you Cathe”!

Love,
A Cathlete Family! ☺️

My story isn’t about weight loss. It isn’t about increasing strength either. Nope. It’s about finding my true passion in life and, more importantly, doing something about it! You see, I consider myself lucky to have someone inspiring me each and every day. She is someone who pushes me to do my best and has encouraged me to work hard. The best part? This person has played an important role in helping me pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a Certified Personal Trainer. This person is Cathe Friedrich.

It all began with my first Cathe purchase, Butts and Guts. I didn’t have a lot of fitness equipment at the time so I bought a high step and some dumbbells and was on my way. After the birth of my youngest child in 2010, I wanted to focus on tightening my abs and toning my lower body. Butts and Guts proved to be the perfect ensemble of exercises that I needed to get back into shape. I eventually purchased a few more of Cathe’s workouts and slowly started building my “home gym” (which, at the time, was just a corner of my basement).

I eventually learned that I had Diastasis Recti (abdominal separation) and had to modify a lot of Cathe’s core exercises but I kept at it, eventually owning nearly all of her workouts. I now own an impressive set of exercise equipment, including my latest purchase, a spin bike! So, how did Cathe manage to keep me engaged in my daily workouts? How did she motivate me and drive me to follow my dream in getting certified? Quite simply, she got me interested in learning about how the body moves. Through her cues and tips on proper form, I started to become interested in human anatomy. I became interested in understanding the different mesocycles of her STS program and learning about how each cycle has a different effect on the body. It all became fascinating to me. And it’s all because of Cathe.

Diagnosed with scoliosis as a child, I never realized the impact a curved spine would have on my body. I stand tall at 5′ 10″ and my significant spinal abnormalities are not noticeable to the average person. But as I began to build strength through Cathe’s workouts, I started to realize that my body was full of muscle imbalances. My inability to put my body into certain positions didn’t frustrate me though. Instead, it motivated me. This motivation inspired me to learn as much as I could about muscles, the core, and Diastasis Recti. After earning my Personal Trainer Certification, I created Lucy Fit Personal Training (www.LucyFitPT.com). My goal is to help other moms live a fit life and to educate women on Diastasis Recti and other post-partum health issues. I’m living my dream right now and I owe so much to Cathe (I mentioned her in my very first blog post!). I enjoy reading the posts on the Cathe Forum and I owe a shout-out to my fellow Cat hletes on Facebook. That group is such a positive and encouraging source of daily support.

While this brief message cannot possibly communicate to Cathe the special role she has played in my life, I hope that these words offer some insight into the impact that she has had on me. Perhaps I’ll be able to elaborate to her in person when I attend the Glassboro Road Trip later this year! I simply idolize Cathe Friedrich and without her, my dream of training other moms would be just that…a dream.

I have been exercising with Cathe Videos for over 15 years. They helped me get back into shape after my two pregnancies. What I did not realize for many years was that regular exercising was also helping me manage my auto immune diseases.

After my second daughter was born when I was forty years old, I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. These are debilitating diseases that cause chronic pain and fatigue and for which there is no cure. My symptoms were so excruciating, it felt as though my body was turning to stone. The treatments for these diseases have some horrible side effects, including weight gain.

I credit exercising, especially strength and flexibility training, with helping keep me mobile, fit and strong. Cathe offers a wonderful selection and variety of workouts, so I can choose the appropriate exercise routine based upon how I am feeling on any given day. Some days I need to choose a low-impact workout and it is great to have many options to choose from and know that I am still going to get an effective workout. I love that her strength-training is so balanced and does not neglect the back–an area of critical importance in my disease management. Some of Cathe’s newer series, such as the Low Impact and the Xtrain, include such a variety and the bonus/mix & match options give an endless selection, making it easy to customize the workouts depending on daily need. I also love the effectiveness and time-saving value of the workouts that incorporate HiiT. I commute to my full-time teaching job (high school English) and I have two middle school children and a preschooler to keep up with. Needless to say, my daily schedule is very full, so I appreciate the convenience that workout videos provide–I can workout when I want for as long as I want. Recently, I started following the monthly rotations that Cathe provides on the cathe.com website–another great resource that allows me to save time while feeling confident that I am getting a sound fitness routine.

No doubt about it, Cathe Friedrich is my favorite instructor. Exercising is a necessary part of my life; thanks, Cathe for making it so easy to incorporate and maintain!

My name is Joy. I am a stay-at-home mother to four beautiful children and wife to an amazing husband. Eight years ago I became pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl, and delivered them via c-section at 37 weeks gestation with no problems. Within 10 months I found myself pregnant again and quickly after my second delivery I was pregnant again for the third time, so that, in three years and three months, I had delivered all four of my children.

Pregnancy can wreak havoc on a body and after my last was born, I was determined to lose the weight and feel normal again. I felt completely unrecognizable to myself so 5 days post-partum, I began to workout in my home. I started with pilates videos that I could get at Target along with walking on my treadmill and gradually worked my way up to running alongside Cathe’s Low Impact Circuit and Bodymax 2 workouts. (These workouts were given to me by my mom who is also a hardcore Cathe follower.) The combination of cardio and weights began to shape my body and I began to see real results.

During those early years, I exercised six days a week in front of all four of my kids, pausing my videos or jumping of the treadmill to re-binky the baby or grab the kids a snack. After 4 years of consistent exercise I no longer choose to run on a treadmill but have moved to using Cathe’s workouts exclusively and love the impact it has had on my life. Impacts that reached places I didn’t think they could.

I started working out because I wanted my body back. I wanted it back the way it was and I have seen dramatic changes in my body composition, my capacity to lift weights, do pushups and overall cardio endurance. However, it has been the emotional, spiritual and ultimately relational changes in me that have been the most significant. I can’t have my body back the way it was and that is no longer the goal of exercise.

I heard from a therapist that if one could discipline physical exercise into their life, then they could discipline anything. They can discipline their mind and thoughts. They can discipline food and friendships. They can discipline their spiritual lives. I have seen this to be true and this is the reason that Cathe has been a significant part of my life. She has given me the means to workout at home with my kids in a way that is valuable.

I am a much sweeter mom because I workout. I am a much kinder wife because I workout. I have a cleaner house because I workout. Believe it or not, I have a better relationship with God because of exercise.

The full impact of Cathe’s work on my life is still working it’s magic, as I daily exercise for my personal health and the health of my family. I am blessed and grateful for the time and energy spent providing fun and effective workouts that improve my capacity to live life well.

Send us your Success Story. If your submission is selected for our “Success Story” spotlight on the Cathe.com home page you will also receive a $100 gift certificate that also may be used at www.shop.cathe.com (presale items excluded). | Submit Your Success Story |

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My husband and I have been married for 14 years and we have 6 kids, our oldest being 12 and the youngest being 3. Both of us have had a really hard time losing weight and sticking to a consistent diet.

mrouse621 Before Picture

After going to the doctor both of us found out that we needed to lose weight due to health issues. I was talking to my cousin about my trip to the doctor and she introduced me to Weight Watchers. She said that I could gain all the information I needed about food and fix my dinners accordingly. This was a bit of a challenge because preparing meals for a large family is really expensive already, but doing it in a healthier manner would cost even more. But we had to weigh out the cost with our (even our kids’) health, so we started making a great deal of changes.

We have a son that has Type 1 Diabetes so we were able to teach not only him about glucose and insulin but also the rest of the kids. Weight Watchers encourages exercising and so I began my step aerobics video that had been sitting in my closet. We had the video from Cathe, The Step: Basic Step and Cardio and Weights. It took me about 4 weeks to move to the Cardio and Weights from the Basic Step but I began to work out more and more.

mrouse621 After Picture

When my husband would get off work we would take all of the kids (double stroller and all) for a 3 mile walk around our neighborhood. After we would complete our family walks my husband would go back out and jog another 4 miles. We did this about 4 times a week because we wanted this to become a lifestyle for us not a diet program.

Our meals were some of the same foods we have grown to love but we modify how they are prepared. We only buy red potatoes instead of regular ones. We buy more fruits and veggies in place of chips and candy. We also purchased a Nutri Bullet that we use each and every day.

My husband lost 35 pounds and I lost 25 in about an 8 month time frame. We have purchased 4 more Cathe step aerobic videos and also another step so that my husband and I can step together. With Weight Watchers teaching me about food and the videos that we have, we will have success for a long time. We have called Cathe Friedrich our very own personal trainer.

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I have followed Cathe since she was on Fit TV. Fitness and healthy eating have always been priorities in my life. I taught kickboxing for over 6 years and I enjoy helping people reach their fitness goals. A year and a half ago I found a lump in my left breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. A week later I had a single mastectomy. Three days later I was rushed into emergency surgery because I was bleeding internally.

After my 2nd surgery I was told that the cancer had not spread into my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo or radiation but I would have to take tamoxifen, an estrogen blocker for 5 years. I started reconstruction journey 3 months later and had my right side removed and expanders put in. I had to go for weekly fills for my expanders and everything was going good until I developed a serious staph infection. I was put in the hospital for 6 days with an IV of strong antibiotics and then sent home with a pic line for another week. Thank goodness my infection cleared up.

I had my implant surgery this past April. In between my surgeries I would try to rebuild my strength through exercise. I would start to get fit again and then back into surgery I went. Let’s just say after having 4 surgeries and a bad infection within a year and a half it was getting pretty difficult to stay positive but I did. We all have hurdles in life. You can choose to let them absorb you or you can conquer them. I chose to conquer and now I am back to working out 5 days a week and feeling like a champ.

Breast cancer does not discriminate and the percentage of women getting diagnosed is climbing. Self examinations can save your life! If you find a lump get it checked immediately. I know it’s scary but if it’s caught early it can save your life

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Keila Smith’s Success Story

My fitness journey with Cathe started in 2005. I weighed almost 250 pounds. I had tried fad diets, different workout DVDs, and even gym memberships. It seemed nothing worked and I didn’t stick with any of them. Then one day, I skeptically purchased a step aerobics kit. It came with the step, hand weights, band, and stability ball and an instructional Cathe DVD set. I had never heard of Cathe but I purchased the kit anyway.

When I first attempted the workout I could not complete the beginner DVD. Day after day I would workout. Cathe became my motivator and inspiration! I would set goals for myself to get further each day, even if only a minute more. From there I set goals of moving on into intermediate workouts and then on to goals of completing advanced workouts.
I now have almost all of Cathe’s DVDs. She’s still with me after all these years driving me to new fitness levels. I had a dream of one day attending a Road Trip. This would be an opportunity for me to exercise along side the person I attribute my success. I would have the opportunity to meet my role model and thank her personally for all of the motivation and inspiration she has given me. Well, guess what? That dream is now a reality! I will be attending my first Road Trip in October! I couldn’t be more excited! I believe I am equally nervous!
Cathe and her workouts are now a part of my daily life. I would have never imagined that one purchase of a step aerobics kit could be so life altering. That purchase introduced me to Cathe Friedrich and she ignited a fire inside me I did not know I possessed. That fire is still burning just as bright! Thank you, Cathe!

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